BEMERTON Heath Harlequins' hopes of making it three wins on the trot were scuppered by Fareham Town, who shook off their rustiness after 42 days without a game with a 2-1 win.

Skipper Luke Heard came the closest to making a first-half breakthrough when he bundled the ball home but had the ‘goal’ ruled out for a foul on Heath keeper Max Frampton.

But with seven second-half minutes gone, Town, who last played on December 19 away at Sholing, managed to get their noses in front when Ash Tattersall burst through and blasted into the bottom corner.

A brilliant block by Liam Kimber protected that lead and, with time running out, Town keeper Tom Taylor stretched out an arm to keep out a goalbound effort by Bemerton.

Two minutes later substitute Benny Read cut in from the left and passed the ball into the bottom corner for 2-0.

A late rally from Bemerton saw them halve the deficit from a corner deep into added time, but it was too little, too late for Graham Kemp's side.

On Tuesday night, Downton recorded a 2-1 victory at Ringwood Town.

The bittersweet victory came three days after losing away at New Milton Town where Shane Sheridan fired a double.

Declan McGregor and Shaun Prentice were on target at Long Lane as The Robins leapfrogged Town up to tenth in the Sydenhams Wessex Division One standings.